Rick's is hopping these days - my fist visit since the pandemic.

I was there on the Tuesday night before Christmas, 10:30pm to 12:30 or so. It was my first time in 3 years (covid era). It is my “go to” place whenever I happen to be in NYC, maybe once or twice a year. It’s on 33rd st. across the street from the Empire State Bldg. (220 feet away from the SW corner of it). It’s a block and a half from Penn Station/Madison Square Garden, so it’s an hour train ride from home.

There were a couple of well-dressed doormen who sized you up before they escorted you to the coat check girl where you pay your $20 cover and hand over your coat. If you had any foresight, you would have printed out a free pass after signing up for their newsletter from their web site. The doorman will escort you inside to help you choose a table and/or a girl to sit with you. I headed to the bar instead to get a lay of the land first. I started out with a Corona for $14. I had already eaten so I didn’t order any food, but they have a great menu. Their lunch specials are always a good deal.

Rick’s Cabaret and Steakhouse is an upscale club listed on NASDAQ and is affiliated with many other brands you’re familiar with. It has a large main room consisting of a big stage up front, and an area in front of the stage with lots of tables, and seats along the side walls, a bar towards the back by a small satellite ground level stage, and some more couches and tables in the back and along the side. There’s a small men’s room (one-seater and a urinal) with an attendant. I didn’t visit the 2nd floor this visit. It has its own bar and private seating areas and restrooms, but I don’t know if it was active this time. The third floor is where many of the private rooms are, couches and a table closed off by big curtains. It’s a classy décor. The waitress from the 3rd floor bar will come in to take your orders for drinks (over-priced in my opinion). This is where they try to get you to order champagne (your girl didn’t mention the price of the champagne when she told you the price for the room, $355/half-hour plus tips and drinks) but champagne isn’t required and it’s expensive. A glass of vodka for you and the girl will be $50. Of course big tips are encouraged for the room, drinks, and girl. For a detailed description of the club and its affiliates their web page is good: https://www.ricksnewyork.com/about-us/